Events at the Swiss border, March 1938 to March 1939
There is still peace. But fascism spreads in Europe.
We thank our Fuhrer!
Papers!
Please come with me!
Hohenems, Austrian - Swiss Border
Good evening.
A white? Uh-hmm.
Back in the corner.
Please excuse me for the delay!
I thought you wouldn't come. I almost went to the Consulate.
Please sit down.
Here you go. Thank you. Have you had something to eat?
Here you go.
Is something wrong?
It's getting harder and harder to issue a visa.
We are here, at Hohenems.
At Diepoldsau, you go over the Old Rhine.
It's just a trickle away.
One step and you are in Switzerland.
To freedom. Without a visa, I'm stuck.
If the Swiss authorities... You will be helped.
Just ask for Grueninger! Captain Grueninger.
Keep the change. Thank you very much.
Come!
Just a minute!
I have to breathe for a moment. The Germans are everywhere.
I'm not used to eating a lot anymore.
We're almost there.
Wortmann!
Stand still! Stand still!
Stop or I'll shoot! Quickly over here.
Stop!
Shit!
Come back! Stand still!
Stop!
Swiss border guard!
Raise your hands behind your head! Did you understand me?
I'm swiss.
I want to know right now why am I being held here?
Did you know who I am?
Robert Frei, Federal Police.
I hope you were treated decently.
Shall we go?
Would you like to walk with me?
About here.
You understand that it's extraordinary
that a Vice Consul Prodolliet in the middle of the night
walks around the border instead of being at the Consulate in Bregenz.
I'm hardly sleeping of late. And you?
What is up with you?
Did you meet up with someone in the night?
Nobody except your overzealous colleagues.
Nearby, someone tried to cross the border.
Pretty busy I guess. Too busy. There are limits too.
Anyone entering without papers and anyone who helps them is a criminal.
The Cantonal Police regularly inspect hotels near the border.
We often come across your name.
There are things that Austria doesn't have to offer.
You must've checked for sure that I didn't stay there alone. Yes.
If you have no further questions,
may I get back to the Consulate?
Tell me,
could it be that you were paid by the lady for it,
to get all her relatives across?
That's ridiculous!
Pure humanism doesn't explain your generosity in issuing visas.
I don't know what you are talking about.
Where did you take the man across the border?
The Consul has already been informed. It proposes your resignation.
It's over, Prodolliet.
Or would you have a few names?
Who is on our side in the welcoming committee for these people?
You feel good, right? I'm only doing my duty.
Not a word from here! I'll take care of it.
Stop!
Passport.
Is something not right?
Get out!
We are colleagues. I'm from the Swiss border Police.
Are you deaf?
Thank you.
Did you think the Germans would've reported it?
Then we would've been done!
Let's go!
They were arrested by the Cantonal Police across the border.
This is the German report on the arrest.
They had 140 Reichsmark with them.
Jews are not allowed to carry money out.
Or did they forget to pay you?
I never saw that money.
And you didn't know anything about the fake passports?
I found them on the streets. I don't know them.
Then what did you think this is for?
How should I know?
What happened to them?
I thought you didn't know them.
Did you?
What's happening here?
I just took the deposit. Don't shout like that!
Whatever doubts you may have, I don't know.
But they left a fairly high deposit. That high deposit is my money!
So it's your money?
This is the purchase contract and registration of your motorcycle.
That came from my apartment.
Who gives you the right to snoop around?
Zweifel and I are Cantonal cops.
Their Party comrades paid for the motorcycle. The Social Democrats.
Maybe to ride the countryside? Huh?
Or to chauffeur Jews across the border?
With fake papers?
Just as they gave you the money for the deposit.
Kiss my ass!
Lock him up.
All right then.
Zweifel and I know each other from the Party.
What now?
If you don't give me names...everything is up to you.
Where would've the women gone? Hm?
Who would they have gone with?
He cares. Who?
Grueninger from St.Gallen. Who else?
Bern, Spring 1939
Dr.Rothmund is waiting for you.
Ah, may I introduce Robert Frei?
One of my best people.
Valentin Keel, Government Councilor from St.St.Gallen.
Mr.Frei worries about what's going on in your canton.
The border, Valentin.
The border is dense.
So you would say that nobody comes through?
Alright. Maybe over the Old Rhine. The situation over there is confusing.
Ah! So some do come across.
We are talking about a few.
It's quite possible occasionally one slips by.
But they all move on.
That one occasionally slips through,
certainly cannot be avoided.
But our investigations suggest that
that the Cantonal Police of St.St.Gallen doesn't take action against illegals...
neither at the border nor anywhere else.
Apparently helping the escaped Jews to hide.
Says who? Your comrades.
Dutler and Zweifel.
Of course I don't know all of them personally.
But if you think they're dragging them... Are they lying?
In such times, do people crazy things? No.
If one comes without a visa, the Cantonal Police sends him back.
As the Federal Council has decided. Heinrich.
Valentin.
If it doesn't bother you, could Mr.Frei in my name
make an informal check at your canton?
Of course on a voluntary basis.
He may contact Captain Grueninger at any time.
Did you think Grueninger has anything to do with it?
He is a highly respected Police captain.
The fish stinks mostly from the head.
Find out how he does it and who else is involved.
In case of suspicion the canton has to look for itself.
They have to appoint an examining magistrate.... You can wait for our Cantonal Police until you turn Schwartz.
Everyone can do what they want, but the border is a matter of principle.
I'll expect your report in a week.
If something isn't right, we must make an example of it.
Paul! Come on!
I'm coming.
Aha! Your election campaign cannot be particularly stressful
if you go for coffee everywhere.
Tea. Sit down!
Thank you.
Did you want one too? No thanks.
Paul. I was instructed yesterday from Rothmund to Bern.
Doesn't Ruth need to go to the station?
Say what you want! Alice!
Ruth?
Goodbye.
Did you like it in Lausanne at the housekeeping school? Yes.
Are you coming?
Take care of yourself!
Does Alice know about it?
What happened in Bern?
Rothmund's pet dog is to write a report.
They want the exact number of our refugees.
And they want to know if they have the right papers.
What should I do, Paul?
If I don't allow it, I have to appoint an examining magistrate.
What we do is not wrong.
You have to call Sigi immediately.
So he knows about it.
And then we have to come up with something,
how to get rid of this pet dog.
Good morning, Mr.Schneider. Good Morning. Mr.Hoffman.
Mr.Dreifuss has already called several times.
They are off to Diepoldsau in the sailboat.
Yes, good.
He's driving us all crazy.
Who? That jerk from Bern.
Is he already here? Yes. Come with me.
Now calm down!
Everything's all right. Sigi?
Oh, finally.
It's our turn. Nothing has happened yet?
I talked to Keel. Let me do it!
He will hardly be blind. I hope he has eyes in mind.
What? You want to tell him the truth?
I'll see to it that he doesn't write his report.
I hope you know what you are doing.
Good Morning. Good Morning.
This is a mess.
Their control is a most welcome assistance.
As you can see, we are very busy.
They make a mess. They scare the people out.
They've been through enough already. What should they be afraid of?
The papers are are all in order.
You can find all the documents
in the Israelite refugee aid St.St.Gallen.
Mr.Dreifuss will be happy to accompany you there.
At any time.
There's no reason to question people individually.
Disperse them back to their places!
So, please go back to your places!
I want to be completely open. There are allegations against you.
Usually, people want to know which one.
If they have nothing to hide. Excuse me.
They come over here and invite all the other refugees and now...
Last week, two men were arrested.
They were under your command.
Dutler and Zweifel. Yes. I heard that.
Are you still in the same Party?
I am in the FDP.
The temptation was too big for the two of them,
not enriching oneself with the misery of others.
Who could enrich oneself here?
Maybe you want to do Germans a favor
and pick up a couple of Jews.
Are you saying that I am a Nazi?
Are you one?
They certainly don't play natives at night and drag refugees in.
If there were illegals amongst these people,
wouldn't they have escaped you from the canton Police?
Wait outside.
No thanks.
What you say should serve to relieve you.
What?
About the rumors that you are taking in illegals.
Why don't you just say that.
And if it were true?
Do you want to send those people back then?
Then there would be a judicial investigation.
You would be suspended. You have a family, right?
Can you afford that? Let that be my concern!
You have no idea what's really going on.
Do you?
With the integration of Austria a year ago
the situation has become serious.
No comparison with the refugees, of course.
I announce the integration of my homeland into the German Reich!
I think the Germans themselves were surprised
how the Austrians acted against the Jews.
Those who were lucky, were kicked out.
I always try to imagine being thrown out of my country.
My whole life fitting in a suitcase.
Open the case!
Finished. Finished.
Order carried out. Everything has been searched.
To think none of you were coming back.
Pack up and be off!
Passports, please.
Up!
Thank you very much. Go on! Passport!
Come closer! You have already been seen. Are you Austrian?
Yes, from Vienna. Sidney Tribrach.
Israeli refugee aid.
Come in! You must certainly be hungry.
How many are there? This week?
More than 100.
I distributed them to pensions and households.
But I just have no room anymore.
The Germans just send them across the border?
Yes.
And when it becomes known that you help people, more and more come over.
I cannot guarantee anything without the support of the authorities.
Sigi, I cannot do anything.
You have to get the refugees through.
The Jews take care of the Jews.
That's the way it is done. Is it? Bern has determined it.
And we pay because Jews are the good kind?
Good evening both.
Captain.
Good evening. Good evening.
And?
So far calm. For now.
Is it something special?
As always.
And the kicker?
He is still around.
The mill at Diepoldsau, is it still empty?
I think so. Whoever wants to take over.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 beds.
Does the Red Cross really come with a station?
You still have to pay for it yourself.
Come check if everything is going smoothly.
Thank you. As if I had nothing better to do than watch over Jews.
Hey, you two! Come here! Do you understand German?
Do what I said! Everything in a line!
It's important that you remember the onward journey.
Nobody bothers to pick them up.
My goodness!
The piano teacher was here. Now she is the tormentor.
That will do.
If you were in Lausanne, the piano would've broken anyway.
I would like to play it.
Slide over!
Going through the thick of it, is hard, believe me.
* Remember the melody *
Try it!
Political refugees. When I hear that, I feel sick.
These are lazy excuses. What do they want with us?
Protection. What else?
Had the Germans needed them for anything,
they wouldn't have kicked them out.
How many do you have with you?
As of now?
400 over the whole canton. Did you actually count?
They are like the rats. Where ever they are, there are more and more.
No one comes in with me in Thurgau. And when 50 come together?
A 100? Children? Old? Send them back. All of them.
That would be the biggest punishment for the German authorities.
What do you suggest?
We have to let them in.
All of them. With or without visa. Yes of sure.
If we reject them, they will turn to ash.
We have to control it.
For absolute control there must be a limit.
Does that works? Yes.
The Jewish hunt is a cultural shame.
Let's leave the church in the village!
Someone who is persecuted for his religion,
is by law not a political refugee.
We agree, right?
Mr.Governing Councilor Keel?
Each one of you speaks about what concerns him in his canton.
Everyone thinks about themselves.
And as much as I respect that,
consider your responsibility for the whole of Switzerland.
To this day, we can be happy
that the Germans are not standing in front of our door with their military.
To date, we have received more than 10,000 refugees.
And it should stay that way. We have done our part.
With increasing Judaization,
problems in Germany really began.
Who wants states like these? Do we want our own Jew hatred?
That's what it's all about, without a solution.
We unanimously expressed our expectations
and the Federal Council will certainly comply,
with immediate effect that illegal entry must stop.
Does that mean that the border is closed?
All persons of Jewish descent crossing the border without a visa, will be rejected.
How would the border guards know if a Jew is a Jew or not?
We will submit a proposal to the German authorities
to mark the passports of the refugees.
There. And now a photo.
Watch out!
There's one here!
Come out!
We know you.
You've tried this once.
Go on! Step forward!
Quietly. Captain!
We have to round them up and send them back.
These are the ones from the last 3 hours.
Get up and move on!
Let's go! Let's go!
Move forward!
What happens to them now?
Since 18 August 1938, the border has been closed.
Do you remember who Federal Councilor Droz was?
Taking in refugees is not a matter of sympathy,
but of humanity.
Should that be an apology for this squalor?
You have a brisk style for your age.
I obey the decision of the Federal Council. Hm.
Have you ever considered what the decision is worth?
Doesn't it mean as much to you, as a Cantonal official?
Good. Now that you've formed an opinion...
Open your eyes!
Excuse me. Is there any free room here?
Sorry, I don't understand you.
Are you a refugee? Yes.
Last name?
Karl Werner. Your papers?
They are in the camp. What?
They are in the camp. In the camp.
Why don't you carry your papers with you?
Can I help?
Is there a guest room here?
Go back here!
At the end of the road to the right.
Thank you.
Paul?
Ah!
What time is it?
Dinner is ready.
I'll be there.
Did Ruth get in safe? Uh-huh.
What did Mr.Keel want from you this morning?
Nothing important.
Are you coming? The food won't get any warmer.
Is the room OK? Yes very.
There's soup for dinner.
And a beer.
If you have something to report on the border,
do not hesitate!
Damn peasants!
Take me to the Israeli camp.
Did you want to stay the whole night? Yes.
All right then.
Did you know a Karl Adolf Werner?
Bring him to me tomorrow at 8:00 o'clock.
Here in the refugee camp?
Hm..hmm.
This is really just routine.
Mr.Werner.
I carry my papers with me now.
Much better, right?
We can do it alone.
So, again, so I understand you correctly:
you came to Switzerland in the summer?
When the border was still open... Yes.
Ah, yes, here it is. August 14th. We are in luck!
A few days past and we wouldn't have had the pleasure today.
Yes. On the 14th of august.
Nice cap. Sorry?
Nice cap. Yes. It's from my mother.
You take it with you everywhere, huh?
Even if the sun were burning down in the summer.
Maybe the nights are cooler.
Well, let's start again from the beginning.
You are here as of 14th of August, when you entered Switzerland.
With a visa from Austria. Yes.
With winter boots, a warm jacket and your mother's wool cap?
In August? They are from here.
The cap? No, the things.
Did you not say you came as you were?
What of your household do you still have?
Mr.Werner? And the visa? Did it fall from a tree?
Or was it flown by a bird? Is that all on paper.
What? That I ..
This is a mess! When did you get in?
I will not go back. You don't have to! Aren't you legal here?
I will not go back. Only illegals have to go back.
So where did you come from?
Huh? St.Margrethen.
Here stands Diepoldsau. Yes, Diepoldsau.
So what then? I was in Dachau.
I think in Austria. Yes, but in Dachau. In a camp.
Let's start with the truth from the beginning?
Please don't!
Please don't send me back! Please don't send me back!
Mr.Werner!
Mr.Werner, when did you come in?
This October.
When the border was already closed?
Please, Mr.Werner.
I'll get one, the first one.
And after a few minutes it is clear that he is lying.
Should I add another one? Or tell me how it works?
I don't know what you mean.
Take him back to the refugee camp!
Karl Werner?
Yes I know.
He has admitted that he is illegal.
Schneider.
And...what happens to him now?
I thought you were asking what happens to you.
Dreifuss and you have signed his admission form.
Yes.
If our names are there, we signed it.
And poor, confused Werner? Did you bring him in for stupidity?
Or was it a compassion tour, and you showed him how to do it?
Did he not tell you where he came from?
Dachau, if that's true. Yes. From a concentration camp.
And you send him back there?
Did you have such hatred of Jews?
Yes, sure. You are only doing your duty.
If you can muster that with your conscience
as probably the Germans and Austrians would say
"I'm just doing my duty. I'm not to blame".
Just sign up voluntarily for a day at the border.
Please. My family is waiting for me in the camp in Diepoldsau.
Be quiet! Please.
I'll do anything. Please, if you could just let me in.
Stop!
Stand still! Stop, or I'll shoot!
No! Not a step further!
Did you shoot her?
Bern shouldn't have sent everyone back immediately,
we have enough space. Many could've traveled on.
Sure, send the Red Cross to the border!
What we urgently need is clothes. Isn't getting any warmer.
Captain?
Mr.Dreifuss.
I don't know if you still remember me. Ira Schwartz.
Good day. Have you been rejected?
What are you doing here?
I found a way. Don't worry.
Someone at the Consulate in Bregenz issued me a visa.
Consider yourself happy! I'd have been happier if my parents were here.
They are waiting in Vienna and don't know what to do next.
What should we do about it?
Contact the Consulate in Bregenz!
Then the vice-Consul could get in touch with my parents.
And issue a visa? Are you a political refugee?
I am a Jew. So?
This vice-Consul would simply issue a visa?
I wouldn't be here otherwise.
You know that I have to report something like this.
I'll forget we spoke to one another.
That's a lot to ask for in these times.
I understand. Thank you anyway.
What about your friend? They were traveling together.
I don't know.
Excuse me.
Where had you been so late? Over at Diepoldsau refugee camp.
Bread?
Papa. What?
Bread? Ah, thanks.
How is it in the camp?
There are fewer and fewer, because of the decision at Bern. Don't be angry with me, but I have to go back.
At least eat something.
I'm going to Lausanne on Sunday. I've a piano session to play.
I'll see you tomorrow. Paul?
She rehearsed a piano piece for you.
Can't this wait?
When Ruth grows up,
she will know these things are not important.
I could use the time in Diepoldsau well.
Before the border closure one would've to simply enter the name of Schwartz's parents in the register
and the case would have been closed.
Sure! Why didn't they come before 18 August?
And if that were the case?
We could simply turn the clock on the date.
Everything else would look right.
Look! If you go somewhere, you take the family with you.
I travel with Alice and Ruth, that's normal.
Who would doubt that the Schwartz were all together
when they crossed the border legally in August?
If I understand you correctly, we open a file
for the Schwartz family and claim
they came with their son in August?
Yes!
Put that back!
Where are the files of those who have traveled on?
In the cupboard.
The yellow ones. Blue are the ones for those who are still here.
Throw them away! We'll replace the documents.
What?
And you would let the Schwartz family in, before the others through the front door?
We could also let others in.
Yeah? And how would you explain to Bern that we get more and more,
even though the border is closed and a Jew cannot get a visa anymore?
Look!
For every newcomer, a yellow file disappears.
The numbers will be officially the same.
That's document forgery, Paul.
Speaking of numbers. The rich in the back and not up front.
It's hasn't been all about the money for a long time now.
If you write to the Consul, he will issue a visa
and the parents show up with Schwartz. I will not accept this.
Captain. I'll leave, if that's alright.
Yes, thank you.
Schneider!
This needs to go to the Bregenz Consulate.
Thank you.
Ira, look!
You should have let me know.
I liked my decision. Imagine, if this came out.
Now there is evidence.
Did you want to send them back? Have you decided that already?
We're still here, Sigi, right?
But I would go for a toss with the refugees,
when people like you come from me.
Sigi...
We are all in the same boat.
Do you want a drink?
Yes.
It's important...that we all agree on a common past.
We arrived before 18 August.
On the 10th together?
Yes. Yes.
I don't want to be rude, but could you get going?
The earlier we make this file disappear,
the better for all of us, you understand?
We want to go to France. We have relatives there.
Good.
Dreifuss was right. Falsification of documents.
And abuse of office has been added. Yes.
With paragraphs you know your way around.
How many have you let in this way?
I didn't count.
Dutler and Zweifel, the two guards, are they involved?
Then I'll write my report.
Until the examining magistrate begins his work
you must expect a suspension.
Call him! It's easier.
Go ahead! Call him!
Let Mr.Rothmund know and play the righteous!
Just hide behind the bureaucracy!
But don't lie about anything!
Tell me, you know what's happening in Germany...
and that doesn't bother you!? You make it sound so easy.
No. We all make it sound easy.
Are you hungry?
Excuse me. I didn't know it was you.
That's alright.
How many of them are illegal?
Don't know.
Stop it! How many?
I don't know.
Lots.
All of them?
Don't you have to go home?
Hey! Stop!
Stands still!
Where are you from? Let me go!
Let my sister go! You are soaking wet.
Were you by the river? Where are you from?
Where are your parents? Still there.
Where?
In Salzburg.
No. You have to go back.
Here.
Something to eat.
There's more, if you want.
These should fit. Surely someone has a couple of new ones.
What are you going to do with them?
Are you going to send them back?
I have no idea what to do.
If I submit my report, they will meet their end .
Please.
Are you still on duty?
I don't intend to send someone to Dachau.
Or anywhere else.
I don't want to give you sleepless nights,
but that's exactly what you will do when you submit that report.
It's no good pretending, it's any different.
Why do people do it after all?
Every second person is itchy for money.
Some earn a little pocket money.
But for most it goes without saying.
People don't fall around the neck of the Jews.
But they don't let them die at their own door. Get it?
Since November, the whole world knows what's going on in Germany.
Or didn't you notice that?
Stop it! No. I won't stop.
Burning synagogues, destroying existence
and I know how many people died in one night.
And if you don't believe me, ask those people why they are here.
You saw them.
'Illegal'? Illegal is no longer a term when it comes to survival.
Bastard!
We have you. The pig is still spitting.
Why is she still spitting? Why is she still spitting?
Now he won't make a sound.
Where does he live?
Shh.
Jakob.
Stop!
Swiss border guard! Go back!
Please, let us through!
I said go back!
Ida, come back! Is there another one?
This is my husband. This is my husband.
This is my husband.
Come back! He won't let either of us through.
I cannot anymore.
Shoot us! But we will not go back.
Come on! Quickly!
Wait here!
Should I believe him? It looks good.
He cannot just leave us here.
Ida!
My husband says your child is ill.
Robert has an ear ache.
Come in!
Good day, Mr.Grueninger.
Excuse me.
Sigi?
Yes. I'm coming.
Any available funds?
The wedding rings.
And 150 Reichsmark.
You don't have to keep us.
We want to move to Mexico.
Don't look at this like that! I see it too.
We don't have the numbers under control anymore.
There are so many. 27 came in again tonight.
They eat here as the camp is already full.
Is no one moving out at all? How come?
Without money? And they dream of Mexico.
Hey, Schwartz!
They wanted to go to France. That was the agreement.
I know. I'm so sorry.
Don't apologize to us!
You will have to go back if I cannot get people to stay.
Am I responsible for what happens in Germany? Or how Swiss politics is?
I'm so sorry.
No, I'm sorry.
Captain.
My parents have deposited all their money in Austria.
I'm looking for someone to bring it out.
If I succeed, we are gone. I swear.
When he gets out, they'll know what we been up to.
Save your nerves for the return journey!
If that works, we'll get rid of the Schwartz. How about the rest?
Calm down!
That's nonsense.
The "good contact" has certainly been long lost since the money dried up.
We pay and leave, right? Yes.
We tried that.
High-ranking and brave smugglers cannot be trusted.
Sorry for the delay!
I suggest you take everything and don't leave it in the package.
What you organize doesn't stay a secret for long...
issuing visas one after the another.
A cat always lands on it's feet. It's not just about you.
Good, then I'll stop. What do I do with all the other valuables?
What do I do with the next person who comes and wants a visa?
I think you know the problem.
Where do we draw a line and say, "This is the end".
No idea.
All we think about is, what we should do when everything goes for a toss.
Then our ridiculous humanity is not worth much anymore.
Thank you very much.
Thank Grueninger!
Here.
Make sure you go away! Are you waiting on!?
I have something for you.
You don't take anything, damn it!
It's not what you think.
Of course I'm going too.
Get back home safe!
When were you going to tell me? What?
It's addressed to both of us.
Hm. Apparently someone noticed it was my birthday.
That's nice. We could do something together again.
Yes.
Come on, let's go there! I've never been to a refugee camp.
Yes, yes, we are going. You don't have to say anything.
But it would make everything easier.
Is it something forbidden?
It's all right, Alice.
It's so quiet here.
Good evening both of you. Good evening.
Take off your hat and glasses!
Go on!
What are you doing? Only what I was told.
What is it?
They are so many.
How could this have been kept a secret?
A what?
Mr.Grueninger, for you.
The notes. So you can play it at home.
My dad composed the symphony especially for you.
The guest of honor leaves his own celebration?
What are you doing here?
Congratulations, Paul.
Yes. Yes. All right.
When you came here, I thought it was over.
That they had come and picked up everyone.
How many are there now?
Too many. But not enough.
Keel knew about this, all this time?
That is not the point.
But if he knew, why didn't he put an end to it?
You need to stop. They know now.
You can save all these people.
And even more. We are civil servants.
I have to report to Rothmund. Should I lie about it?
They wanted you to put me in the picture. Now you have to decide.
They serve our country. Don't you have a conscience?
Of course. It's only that I want to be proud of Switzerland.
I want to be proud of my uniform.
Did you understand?
I'm so sorry.
Valentin.
And? What is he going to write in his report?
Tell me! No idea.
We've run ourselves into an open knife. We have no choice.
He's free whatever to write.
This will be a mess.
Whatever he thinks, he is under Rothmund.
And if he wants to climb the ladder as a civil servant, he better obey.
Anyway.
If we stick together, we'll get through this.
We have to see how to get out of this.
No. We've to see how we can move on.
Paul is right.
That's naive.
I still owe you money for the meal.
Correct as always, Mr.Frei.
How are those two children?
No idea.
Just in case you see them again.
Would we all be here now?
Drive me to Buchs at the jail.
What's happening? No idea.
How long are you going to lock us up?
Thank you.
You just have to tell me who gave you the order,
to bring the refugees across the border.
Always the same. I'm investigating someone.
What you do is a farce against it.
You mean Grueninger? Hush!
If I can prove that he and you were colluding,
the officials of your party knew everything
and brought refugees across,
then it's political pressure.
And then you let us go?
I need names.
This is a shabby trick.
What do you know about Valentin Keel?
Who is that?
Then get out! Go on!
You cannot help me.
These gents may go.
Well then.
We had nothing to do directly with Keel.
But...there were a few others. Keep your mouth shut!
Hello. Hello.
Is Dr.Stocker in?
So you know neither a Dutler nor a Zweifel?
Is that because we are in the same Party?
You are the Secretary of the Social Democratic Party.
I have the entry order for a comrade Bertha Schulz from Vienna.
I know the rest.
Such flash orders are very unpleasant for me
or could be very uncomfortable. Best regards, Valentin Keel.
It's not possible that we dilute our socialism
because of a few so-called important national interests.
No! Now we have to look for cohesion,
namely the international one.
He can talk for sure.
But is that enough at Urn?
Mr.Governing Councilor, may I have a moment?
Did you write the report? Yes. It was getting long.
I have a copy for you. I'm sorry, I have to go.
Contact my office, please!
It's about a friend of yours.
Comrade Bertha Schulz.
Congratulations.
In this report, you have not only brushed down Grueninger,
but at the same time my whole Party.
There's nothing left for you but to arrest us all.
They hid behind Grueninger and let him do the work.
If my report reaches Rothmund, both of you will be done.
You come here to tell me that?
You could've given this report to Rothmund directly.
What do you want?
You are committed to Grueninger.
You have the opportunity to influence the Federal Council.
Nobody has acted upon the smallest of motives.
The desire to help the refugees has many.
The Federal Council must take note of this.
They cannot arrest an entire region.
You forget that in our country and among many of my colleagues
a large majority will look away.
See nothing, hear nothing and say nothing.
They like to leave the talking to others,
to the likes of Heinrich Rothmund and his ideas,
how Switzerland should be.
And who is right? Rothmund? Or you?
Is that a question? Yes.
I'll count on you. Talk to the Federal Council!
That's how long I can hold the report.
So you knew this all along?
In human terms, Grueninger is right.
When you see what's going on over the border. All of Europe has its borders too.
Nobody has a problem with that. And you are crying for a couple of Jews?
Imagine, if everyone were like Grueninger!
If the Nazis were serious about their war,
hundreds of thousands would come from everywhere.
Either I go to the Federal Council or I resign.
With this report, Frei has the whole Party to his wimp.
Resign because of Bertha Schulz? That's stale news from yesterday.
Did you really work for Grueninger?
Did you...officially?
Disgusting.
That's the reality.
Not what Grueninger and you were buzzing in your heads.
NATIONAL FIGHT WING OF SWITZERLAND
With every Jewish addition to our country, the unrest grows.
SWISS PEOPLE, THIS IS IN YOUR HANDS, PROTECT THE LAND BEFORE YOU GET REPLACED!!
Look at it that way!
Grueninger wants to save his neck and drags you in,
into an ideology, in something pure, of which you have no idea.
Did you think I would give him up?
He must not go unpunished.
Otherwise you will lose your sanity.
Heinrich!
Grueninger is a friend.
He has a wife and a daughter.
I just made the decision, Valentin.
Yes?
Frei! I was looking for you.
I'm still writing the report on St.St.Gallen.
St.St.Gallen is being looked into by a magistrate.
As you are familiar with the matter, assist him and see to it that everything goes well.
In what context? In the matters of Grueninger.
Good work. The Government Council and I've discussed everything.
Captain Grueninger will be held accountable for the offenses.
And...and Keel?
Grueninger's accusations against the government council...
there it is...word to word.
Keel slips through and Grueninger takes the blame for it?
There's enough evidence on Grueninger. Your evidence!
He couldn't look away.
Then he is all the more a miscast.
We'll do him a favor.
Securing our border will be the most important task in the coming years.
That requires a strong character. Yes.
We secure our border and send those people back to concentration camps.
You don't know what's happening to them there.
It is beyond your competence to think about all this.
Who says such camps exist?
Have you ever been to the border?
Did you talk to people?
If you arrest Grueninger, you can continue with Keel.
Then you have to arrest every man there. Me as well.
Don't be stupid, Frei!
Think about your country! Think about yourself!
You are young. You would surely want children, a family.
If rest of the European countries have mutilated each other,
we have a thriving country.
For that, we lay the foundations today.
Good morning, Snieder. Good Morning.
I cannot let you through. That's an order.
Who gave you that order?
Government Councilor Keel.
That is an order!
Alright.
Valentin!
Yes, enter.
We would have sought an appointment.
But in our case that would have been counterproductive.
Walter Hartsch, examining magistrate. Please close the door.
We have to go through the documents page by page.
It's not just about Mr.Werner or a few isolated cases we are talking about.
The simplest way is to confess
you filled in the forms on behalf of Paul Grueninger.
Not that you misunderstand me.
Nobody blames you.
I thought that we Jews were also Swiss.
We mean something to this country.
But apparently you just need someone to do the dirty work and pay up.
This topic is not relevant to our conversation.
Alice.
Did they dismiss you?
I'm so sorry.
What exactly are you sorry for?
That I didn't tell you everything.
We have to move out. Everything is over.
Ruth's school won't work either.
That's not the point.
Why do you always do things by yourself?
Did you think of what I would've said?
Hello.
Do you want to arrest him?
I would ask you to please return your uniform.
Could you go pick her up? Yes.
I'm so sorry.
Please don't.
Well.
We should go.
It was not about the money, right?
They say that you maintained a more personal relations with individual refugees.
Do you hear me?
Were you in bed with these women?
Did you let them in?
I don't understand you, Herr Grueninger.
You have to tell me something.
Otherwise I don't see any other way,
but to have you admitted to psychiatry.
What you did was absolute madness.
Fall in a line!
Morning. Morning.
Do you know?
Yes. Good.
Get everyone out!
Let's see who we are dealing with.
It would be best, if we list all names.
That way Bern can decide who needs to go back and who stays.
That's no longer our responsibility to decide who stays or goes back.
Come. Stand here.
You have to get out of here!
You can leave that here.
The new shoes are too tight.
Ow! Hurry up!
No! What are you doing?
Let me down! Come on.
Come on!
You're hurting me!
Come on now! Where are you taking us?
The others are all out front. Come on, go!
Break up! Form a line!
Go on! Form a line!
Look, go to the station! West to Basel.
Why can't we stay here? It's too dangerous.
Be careful who you trust! Promise me that!
Go on! Run!
Run!
What is your name?
Samuel. This is Kathe.
Samuel, Kathe, run!
Up until 1945, according to unofficial estimates, 30,000 people were rejected at the Swiss border. Their fate remains unclear.
SWISS - AUSTRIAN BORDER.
According to Yad Vashem, Paul Grueninger let 3,600 Jews enter Switzerland without a visa.
He was charged with abuse of office and forging documents.
In 1972 he died impoverished, until his death neither political nor legal assistance was provided.